Hybrid connection system having separately sealed plug and receptacle chambers

ABSTRACT

A connector mating system that can enable the coupling and decoupling of electrical or optical power and communications channels, while in a harsh or submerged environment during which time the contacting interfaces of the power and communication channels remain fully protected from the destructive effects of the said environment. The system features a hybrid optic and/or electric connector that provides a means for electrical, optical and hybrid inter connection within an extremely hostile environment across a broad market range of applications with a novel end-seal concept in a scalable form factor with minimal actuation stresses and designed for high volume commodity manufacturing.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/418,243 filed Jan. 27, 2017, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

This application includes material which is subject to copyrightprotection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in thePatent and Trademark office files or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for electrical oroptical connectors, and more specifically, to electrical or opticalconnectors for connections in harsh or submerged environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A connector contact mating mechanism that can enable the coupling anddecoupling of optical and/or electrical power or communication, command& control, and/or data acquisition channels while immersed in orsurrounded by a contaminating environment, during which time the channelcontacting interfaces remain fully protected from the destructiveeffects of the said environment. This disclosure describes a hybridoptic electric connection device that uses a novel low tolerance, lowstress, elastomer end-face valve concept designed for high volumecommodity type manufacturing, in a scalable arrangement, supporting abroad range of submersible or harsh environment interconnectapplications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which reference characters refer to the same partsthroughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a series of external profile views of one embodimentof a connector set in which the receptacle assembly and related plugassembly are independently represented in a configuration that supportsbulkhead mounting of the plug and cable-end engagement of thereceptacle, or cable-end to cable-end connection of the plug andreceptacle either by hand intervention or by use of a fixture.

FIG. 2a-2d illustrates a series of descriptive drawings of the principleinternal mechanisms of one embodiment of the connector set proper, inwhich:

FIG. 2a illustrates a longitudinal section view of one embodiment of thecomplete disengaged receptacle and plug system, including numericalidentifications of the various components and features of the internalmechanisms.

FIG. 2b illustrates a longitudinal section view of one embodiment of thereceptacle and plug, which describes the alignment and orientation ofthe receptacle and plug at initial contact between the receptacle andplug end-face valves.

FIG. 2c illustrates a longitudinal section view of one embodiment of thereceptacle and plug, which describes the behavior of the variousinternal components at partial engagement.

FIG. 2d illustrates a longitudinal section view of one embodiment of thereceptacle and plug, which describes the behavior of the variousinternal components at full engagement.

FIG. 3a illustrates one embodiment of a direct end view of the examplereceptacle and example plug interface end-face valve with passagewaysshown partially open.

FIG. 3b illustrates one example of the end-face valve open passagewaygeometry and matched sealing surfaces.

FIG. 3c illustrates a single contact chamber where an alternateconfiguration providing additional isolation between the adjacentcontacts utilizes an individual isolated contact chamber for eachcontact.

FIGS. 4a-4c illustrate one embodiment of a representation of a elastomerend-face valve element in various planer and shaped orientations whichfunctions to isolate the contact chamber of the receptacle or plugassemblies, but which has passages that close and seal, and re-openwithout imparting residual stress into the elastomer and allowingpassage by either electric or optic contacts through the sealedpassages.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the coupling ring latchingmechanism as it appears in both its engaged and disengaged attitudes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hybrid Connection System Engagement Description

As a global advancement in the art of electrical and/or opticalconnector design, the principle intent of this invention is to provide ameans by which the electrical and/or optical contact interfaces of suchcontacts are, at all times, sealed from communication with thesurrounding environmental conditions before, during, and after themating, and throughout the dis-mating process.

The basic operating concept for one embodiment of the connector systemis illustrated in FIG. 1-5, and is described in four sequential drawingsin FIG. 2. In the first drawing, FIG. 2A, an end-face valve representsthe receptacle elastomer end-seal interface component 1 and the plugelastomer end-seal interface component 2. The two end-face valverepresentations are shown separated, as in a position poised to mate.The receptacle end-face valve 1, in this representation, is positivelyseated into the interface end of the receptacle assembly. In likemanner, the plug end-face valve 2, in this representation, is positivelyseated into the interface end of the Plug assembly. Where passagesthrough each end-face valve are always aligned with a correspondingelectrical and/or optical contacts, and are closed and sealed with theend-face valves in a flat face sealed profile attitude.

A mating force, applied to both the Receptacle and Plug assemblies, nextbrings the two sealed end-face valve face profiles together, asrepresented in FIG. 2B. The joining of the two end-face valvesautomatically locks these components together in such manner that theirdisplacements and through-passages remain perfectly aligned throughoutthe entire mating, mated and dis-mating process. At the same time, theinterfacing rims of the receptacle interface shell 29 and the flangedplug shell 7-slide shell 8 assembly are joined allowing the end-facevalves 1 and 2 to form a fluid-tight face-to-face seal so as to preventthe surrounding environment from entering between the faces andmigrating into the receptacle and plug assemblies. To this point, eachof the sealed receptacle end-face valve passages is aligned with thecorresponding plug end-face valve passages and remains located directlyin the path of the electrical and/or optical contacts. As thecompressive force between the receptacle and plug is then increased,FIG. 2C, the joined end-face valves are made to centrally displace andshape, together coincidentally, where the receptacle end-face valvetakes on a centrally depressed profile and conversely the plug end-facevalve takes on a centrally extended profile, while remaining in aface-sealed and locked contact position throughout the process.

During the end-face valve displacement and shaping, the shaft of thereceptacle interface shaft component 33, is radially cammed to followthe natural torsional twisting motion of the end-face valve center thatoccurs during the end-face valve shaping, FIG. 2c , while moving betweenthe flat and centrally extended or centrally depressed profiles. Theinterlocked condition of the two elastomer end-face valves (receptacleand plug) assures that both of these components are made to shape andtwist together, in perfect coincidence. The consequent effect of thistwisting and shaping is to fully open the seal passages, whileminimizing any residual stresses into the elastomer end-face valves, andto thereby establish a long-term travel path, sealed from the effects ofthe external environment, for the plug contacts to traverse through. Asthe compression of the receptacle and plug assemblies continues beyondthe fixed travel limits of the elastomer end-face valves 1, 2, into afull-mated condition, FIG. 2d , the plug contacts travel through theend-face valve passages and fully engage the receptacle contacts in thesealed isolated environment. Upon complete mating of the receptacle andplug assemblies, the coupling mechanism is enabled to fully engage,securing the receptacle and plug assemblies together until separation isachieved by rotationally unlocking of the coupling Actuation Ring 22.

Elastomer End-Face Valve Description

As a specific advancement in the art of electrical and/or opticalconnector end-face seal design, the functionality of the elastomerend-face valve is described.

The basic operating concept for the elastomer end-face valve, as shownin FIG. 4a in a flat collapsed profile, and in 4 b with a centrallyextended and centrally depressed quiescent attitudes is described, wherethe flat profile in FIG. 4a shows a series of closed radially positionedthrough-passages, where each passage has a volute orientation and angleabout a central bore on the end-face valve face. FIG. 3a also shows thesame through passages in a partially opened through-passage shape withmirrored tails resembling a hurricane symbol shape, such as shown inFIG. 3b , positioned radially about the valve center forming a voluteorientation.

Understanding the novel elastomer end-face valve design requiresknowledge that the flat profiled end-face valve volume is equal to thecentrally depressed or extended end-face valve volume, where thethrough-passage size, depression or extension geometry, and end-facevalve diameter are such that a balanced volume is achieved where thecentrally extended or centrally depressed conically shaped profilematerial volume, with through-passages open, occupies the same materialvolume as the flat profile with the through-passages closed; where acentrally extended or depressed end-face valve can be pressed into aflat orientation such that the open passages will have a naturalunforced tendency to close during the transition from the centrallyextended or depressed profile to the flat profile. This volume matchingconstrains the through-passage size to the end-face valve size such thatan incrementally larger scaled end-face valve will have incrementallylarger through passages and conversely an incrementally smaller scaledend-face valve will have incrementally smaller through-passages.

Additional understanding of the novel end-face valve concept isassociated with the intentional volute profiling of the radiallyoriented through-passages, where the volute profile, combined with thethrough-passage shape, imparts a natural twisting of the centrallyextended and centrally depressed shapes, which prevents bunching anddistortion of the elastomer, as the end-face valve is moved from acentrally extended or centrally depressed profile into a flat profileshape. It should be noted that the elastomer end-face valve functionsidentically moving from either a centrally depressed shape to a flatprofile, or by moving from a centrally extended shape to a flat profileallowing the end-face valve to be used in applications favorable to adepressed or favorable to an extended orientation in both single sealapplications or dual face-to-face applications as described herein.

Furtherance of the novel end-face valve concept description involvesunderstanding the function of the radially positioned and voluteoriented through-passage profile, described in FIG. 3b as a hurricanesymbol shape. Where the shape shown combined with the volute orientationhas a natural tendency to close without deformation as the end-facevalve moves from a centrally extended or centrally depressed position toa flat profile, with curve arc profile B of the through-passage, markedin FIG. 3b slightly elongating and matching to curve arc profile A, andcurve arc profile D slightly elongating and matching to curve arc C, andwith face to face matching of the remaining tail profiles, resulting inan overall closed and sealed passage profile while minimizing anyresidual stresses imparted into the end-face valve.

FIG. 4c shows a shaft representation added to the centralthrough-passage of the end-face valve which can be used as an actuationdevice. Where the shaft can be made from metallic or plastic material,and either attached with an adhesive or molded in place with theend-face valve elastomer. With reference to the figure and with theouter rim of the end-face valve fixedly attached to a representativeconnector shell using either an adhesive, molding, or by way ofmechanical retention in a manner consistent with the method the end-facevalve would be installed as a connector end-seal assembly such that: anextension force applied to the shaft of a closed-through-passage flatprofile collapsed end-face valve shape, with the valve rim fixed, causesthe end-face valve to extend to an open-through-passage centrallyextended quiescent profile. Where the action of going from a flatprofile shape to a centrally extended shape imparts a naturaltorque/twist of on the end-face valve (with a resultant twisting of thecentral shaft), opens the through-passages, and maintains constantvolume between the flat profile shape with through-passages closed tothe centrally extended profile with through passages open. Similarly inan alternate configuration starting with the end-seal valve in a flatclosed through-passage collapsed profile, with an axially fixed shellinterface, and rotationally and axially compliant central shaft; andwith a retraction force applied to the shaft, results in an end-facevalve shaping where the end-face valve profile goes from aclosed-through-passage flat position to an open through-passagecentrally extended quiescent position.

In summary the natural balancing of the end-face valve shaped volumes,the through-passage shape, the volute orientation of the passages, andthe natural twisting during shape change, all combine and result in ascalable elastomer end-face valve design that easily moves back andforth between open and closed passage positions without any significantstress on the elastomer, eliminating compression-set, tearing, overstretching, sticking, and other issues potentially affecting theperformance and life cycle of the end-face valve, where;

By placing the two flat profile collapsed end-face valves with closedthrough-passages in a face-to-face orientation, followed by a centraldepressing action on one end-face valve and a coincident centralextension action on the opposing end-face valve, with both seal rimsfixed, results in a novel end-face elastomer valve that:

-   -   1. Provides a low stress state sealing interface for an unmated        connector half.    -   2. Provides a low stress state sealing interface between the        mated connector halves.    -   3. Provides a low stress state aligned passages through each        end-face valve for the optical and/or electrical contacts to        pass through and make contact engagement with the opposing        connector halves.

The above description teaches the concept of the low stress elastomerend-face valve where it is noted that additional profiling operationssuch as adding volute ribs or depressions to the back face of the valve,removal of or addition of material to the end-face valve to furtherbalance the material volume between extended and flat shapes, or othermodification to the profiles that enhance closure and stress relief arenot shown but can be applied to further refine and enhance the end-facevalve operation.

Plug Assembly Description

With reference to FIG. 1-5, and more specifically to the longitudinalsection view of the plug assembly of FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, thestructure is composed of a flanged plug shell 7 which attaches to aslide shell 8 and an insert shell 9, which insert shell is installed infixed orientation to the plug alignment guide slot 10. This orientationis achieved by securing of the slide shell 8 with the flanged plug shell7, by means of a snap feature 11, and the alignment and attachment ofthe slide shell 8, and insert shell 9 with end-face valve 2.

The flanged plug shell 7 and the slide shell 8 are also keyed to preventrotation by means of a snap feature 11 in guide slot 10, which assemblyalso serves to fixedly secure all of the internal components of the plugassembly. Within the core of the insert shell 9, and in fixedorientation, is secured the interface shaft 13 by fixed attachment ofthe interface shaft to the end-face valve 2. This shaft 13 is configuredwith a camming shoulder 14, which is functionally engaged to acorresponding seat 15 and camming slot 16, which slot in turn arefeatures of the plug guide shaft 17 which is secured to the flanged plugshell 7 by a snap feature 18.

Mounted within the flanged plug shell 7 is at least one electric contact19, which is secured, keyed, and sealed into the flanged plug shell 7 bymeans of a quad seal 20 and the fixed guide shaft 17, and/or mountedwithin the flanged plug shell 7 is at least one optical contact 21,which is secured, keyed, and sealed into the flanged plug shell 7 bymeans of a quad seals 20 and the fixed guide shaft 17. A multiplicity ofsuch contacts, or alternate contacts containing elements of both opticand electric contacts, can be coincidentally arrayed within theassembly, in any combination.

When the plug assembly is in the dis-mated condition, the end-face valve2 serves to isolate the internal electrical and/or optical contacts fromthe external environment by way of closed through-passages which fullyseal closed from an axial central displacement on the end-face valve 2by the guide shaft 17 and resultant natural twisting of the end-facevalve and fixed sealing to the insert shell 9 and slide shell 8; wherethe sealed insert shell may then be filled with a dielectric fluid tofurther isolate the contacts and to pressure compensate the insertshell. During the mating process, the forward end of the end-face valve2 is so configured to move from a flat closed profile by re shaping theseal to the centrally extended open state, as to permit passage byeither type of receptacle contact, whether an electric contact 19 or anoptic contact 21. In the embodiment described a single contact chamberis shown, within insert shell 9, where an alternate configurationproviding additional isolation between the adjacent contacts utilizes anindividual isolated contact chamber for each contact with an end-facevalve with extension leg features originating from the back face of theof the end-face valve and connecting with the individual contactchambers as shown in FIG. 3C.

Latching features associated with the plug are also shown in the figurewhich provide longitudinal section views of one embodiment of a couplingring mechanism, and identify all of the significant components of thesystem, and their positioning in relationship to each other. The flangedplug shell 7 comprises the foundation of the mechanism, onto the end ofwhich is mounted the principle engagement element, the coupling ring 22.The coupling ring 22, in turn, is secured to the plug assembly by meansof a retaining ring 23, which seats and locates in a detent so as toprotrude into a groove feature of the coupling ring. A passage featurein the detent is configured to anchor the retaining ring and permit alimited rotational travel motion of the coupling ring 22 with aspring-back reverse return.

The coupling ring 22 has wedge fingers features 51 that contactcorresponding receiving shoulder features 24 on the receptacle shellcausing the ring to rotate until continued engagement of the plug to thereceptacle causes the wedge feature to reach a clearance area on thewedge finger allowing the retaining ring to rotate the coupling ringback to the starting position and latch the connector halves together.

Finally, attached to the rear face of the plug flange shell is the cabletermination shell 25. The cable termination shell is the foundation ofthe cable termination anchor wedge penetration socket 26 and strainrelief boot 27. The termination housing serves as a load caring memberattaching the cable to the flanged plug shell using the anchor wedgepenetration, where the wedge penetration anchors the cable reinforcementin the conical wedge feature and seals and allows passage of the opticalfiber or electric conductor from the cable to the pin array.

Receptacle Assembly

With reference to FIG. 2a , and more specifically to the longitudinalsection view of the receptacle assembly, in one embodiment, thestructure is composed of a receptacle shell 29 which attaches to a pinbase 30 and a guide shaft 31, where the base and guide shaft areinstalled in fixed orientation to the receptacle shell alignment key.This orientation is achieved and secured by the alignment of the pinbase 30 with the receptacle shell 29, by means of a keyed snap feature32 and threaded radial fasteners. Within the core of the receptacleshell 29, and in fixed orientation, is the interface shaft 33 which iskeyed to the guide shaft 31 by a camming pin 35 and by fixed attachmentof the interface shaft to the elastomer end-face valve 1.

Mounted within the base 30 is at least one electric contact 36, which issecured and keyed in the base shell 30 by means of a backing plate 37and/or mounted within the base 30 is at least one optical contact 38,which is secured and keyed in the base shell 30 by means of a backingplate 37. A multiplicity of such contacts, or alternate contactscontaining elements of both optic and electric contacts, can becoincidentally arrayed within this assembly, in any combination. Whenthe receptacle assembly is in the dis-mated condition, the end-facevalve 1 serves to isolate the internal electrical and/or opticalcontacts from the external environment by way of closed through-passageswhich fully seal closed from an axial central displacement on theend-face valve by the guide shaft 33, and the resultant natural twistingof the end-face valve, and fixed sealing of the end-face valve 1 to thereceptacle shell, Where the sealed receptacle shell may then be filledwith a dielectric fluid to further isolate the contacts, and to pressurecompensate the receptacle shell. During the mating process, the forwardend of the end-face valve is so configured to move from a flat closedprofile by re shaping the valve to the centrally depressed open state,as to permit passage by either type of receptacle contact, whether anelectric contact 36 or an optic contact 38. In the embodiment describeda single contact chamber is shown where an alternate configurationproviding additional isolation between the adjacent contacts utilizes anindividual isolated contact chamber for each contact with an end-facevalve with extension leg features originating from the back face of theof the end-face valve and connecting with the individual contactchambers as shown in FIG. 3C.

Attached to the rear shoulder of the pin base 30 is the cabletermination shell 25 (FIG. 2). The cable termination shell is thefoundation of the cable termination anchor wedge penetration socket 26and strain relief boot 27. The termination housing serves as a loadcaring member attaching the cable to the pin base using the anchor wedgepenetration, where the wedge penetration anchors the cable reinforcementin the conical wedge feature and seals and allows passage of the opticalfiber or electric conductor from the cable to the pin array.

Receptacle and Plug Mating Sequence

FIG. 2 provides a series of longitudinal section views of one embodimentof both the receptacle and plug assemblies, which views describe thesequential behavior of the internal mechanisms of this connector systemand contacts during the entire engagement process, where FIG. 2Adescribes a fully dis-mated connector set, showing the condition of allinternal components prior to engagement. FIG. 2B illustrates the initialinterface contact of the receptacle and plug assemblies, and describesthe manner in which the keyed shell feature 50 of the flanged plug shellis captured and aligns with the key slot feature of the correspondingreceptacle shell providing an initial gross alignment/clocking featurebetween the flanged plug shell 7 and the receptacle shell 29. Finealignment is then achieved where a raised key feature on the receptacleinterface shaft end 33, engages into corresponding recessed features ofthe plug interface shaft end 13, which features are made to becompletely identical in position and contour. These interface featuresprovide a means by which receptacle end-face valve 1 and the plugend-face valve 2 are securely fixed together so that their orientation,relative to each other will be held coincident throughout the connectorset mating process. This section view further demonstrates that uponinitial contact, the end-face valve of the plug 2, which is theforward-most structural component of the plug, and the elastomerend-face valve 1 of the receptacle assembly, are in direct face-to-facecontact, and will remain so throughout the mating process.

FIG. 2C describes the effects of the initial compressive force as it isapplied to the engagement of the receptacle and plug assemblies. Uponapplication of this force, the travel of the plug slide shell 8, overthe plug flange shell 7, immediately applies a corresponding centralextension force to plug end-face valve 2 which is fixed in attituderelative to the slide shell 8 and begins to take on a centrally extendedshape. Similarly, within the receptacle assembly the centrally extendedshaping of the plug elastomer end-face valve is inversely mirrored bythe centrally depressed shaping of the receptacle end-face valve. Thisshaping of the end-face valves occurs where the plug end-face valve isfixedly attached to an interface shaft 13 with camming shoulder 14 thatreacts and is prevented from displacing axially by correspondinginterface guide shaft 17 shoulder. As the receptacle and plug end-facevalves 1, & 2 displace axially into their centrally extended andcentrally depressed quiescent shapes a natural twist motion is developedwhen the receptacle end-face valve displaces and in turn tracks withplug camming peg 35 of the interface shaft 31 within barrel cam track ofthe receptacle guide shaft 33 in such a way that the natural twisting ofthe end-face valve during shaping is coincident with the camming pegmotion in the cam track. The central displacing and twisting motion ofthe receptacle end-face valve and identical central displacing andtwisting motion of the plug end-face valve, coincident through the keyedinterface between the face to face end-face valves opens the passageways on both seals allowing free sealed communication between thepartially engaged connector halves. As the engagement process continuesthe plug interface shaft camming shoulder 14 rotates off of thecorresponding guide shaft 17 shoulder aligning with the guide shaftlongitudinal slot and supported by the guide shaft spring 38 preload.Once aligned with the plug guide shaft slot the plug pin array is thenfree to translated towards the receptacle pin array passing through thenow open passages in the end-face valves, where, as shown in FIG. 2d ,continued engagement allows the pin array contacts to engage.

As the pin arrays contact, the coupling ring 22 wedge fingers 51concurrently contact the corresponding receiving shoulder features onthe receptacle shell 29 causing the ring to rotate until continuedengagement of the plug to the receptacle causes the wedge feature toreach a clearance area on the wedge finger allowing the retaining ringto rotate the coupling ring and fixedly latch the connector halvestogether.

Later, as the connector set separation is made to occur, the action ofthe plug interface spring 38 causes a repositioning and initialdisengagement of the of the plug contact array. Further separation ofthe surrounding connector set causes retraction of all of the corecomponents of the plug contacts coincident with repositioning of theplug slide shell, and reshaping of the end-face valves. As the finalseparation occurs the elastomer end-face valves are move to thethrough-passage closed position under the influence of expandingreceptacle guide shaft spring 39 against the receptacle interface shaft17 with barrel cam which tracks and prevents any sticking during thereshaping the end-face valves from the centrally extended and centrallydepressed profiles to their initial flat individually sealed profilewithin their respective receptacle and plug shells.

It is noted that FIG. 2 of the receptacle and plug each show variousforms of shell-to-shell O-ring seals along with compensation bladders 41and piston volume compensators 42. These various seals and volumecompensation components allow the Hybrid Connection System to operate ina fully submerged high pressure environment and provide temperaturecompensation for expansion and contraction of an internal dielectricfluids across the temperature ranges experience during operation andstorage. As an alternate embodiment the Hybrid Connection Systemfunctions to fully isolate and protect the optical and electricalcontact interfaces in an air filled arrangement suitable for atmosphericharsh environment engagement and disengagement of the connector halves.

While various embodiments have been described for purposes of thisdisclosure, such embodiments should not be deemed to limit the teachingof this disclosure to those embodiments. Various changes andmodifications may be made to the elements described above to obtain aresult that remains within the scope of the systems and methodsdescribed in this disclosure.

1-35. (canceled)
 36. A connector set, comprising: a receptaclecomprising receptacle contacts; and a plug comprising plug contacts, thereceptacle being adapted to receive the plug; the receptacle and theplug each further comprising an end-face valve, wherein, duringengagement of the receptacle and the plug, the end-face valve of thereceptacle and the end-face valve of the plug are aligned and shapedcausing the end-face valves to move together coincidentally in a matchedaxial displacement shaping concurrent with a natural twisting motionsuch that they move from a closed position, wherein the receptaclecontacts and the plug contacts are in sealed isolation from each other,to an open position, wherein the receptacle contacts and the plugcontacts are in sealed contact with each other.
 37. The connector set ofclaim 36, wherein the receptacle contacts and the plug contacts eachcomprise electrical contacts.
 38. The connector set of claim 36, whereinthe receptacle contacts and the plug contacts each comprise opticalcontacts.
 39. The connector set of claim 36, wherein the naturaltwisting motion occurs when a compressive force is applied between thereceptacle and the plug.
 40. The connector set of claim 36, wherein theaxial displacement and the natural twisting motion cause one of theend-face valves to transition from a flat profile to a centrallyextended profile and another of the end-face valves to transition from aflat profile to a centrally depressed profile.
 41. The connector set ofclaim 40, wherein the end-face valve of the receptacle transitions tothe centrally depressed profile while the end-face valve of the plugtransitions to the centrally extended profile.
 42. The connector set ofclaim 40, wherein a face profile of the centrally extended profilematches a negative face profile of the centrally depressed profile. 43.The connector set of claim 41, wherein a face profile of the end-facevalve of the plug matches a negative face profile of the end-face valveof the receptacle at each point in the transition from the respectiveflat profiles to the centrally extended and centrally depressedprofiles.
 44. The connector set of claim 36, wherein the receptacle andthe plug each further comprise a centrally mounted shaft, wherein thenatural twisting motion imparts an associated natural twist motion toeach of the centrally mounted shafts.
 45. The connector set of claim 44,wherein the natural twist motion of the centrally mounted shafts ismirrored by a cam follower traveling in a radial cam path whereby themotion of the end-face valves is synchronized with the motion of theshafts that serves as a mechanical mechanism to engage and disengage therespective contacts as the end-face valves coincidentally move fromtheir open position to their closed position.
 46. The connector set ofclaim 44, wherein the end-face valves are each actuated by mechanicalcontact between a valve face of each end-face valve and axial pushing ofthe contacted valve face.
 47. The connector set of claim 46, wherein theaxial pushing of the end-face valves cause axial pushing of thecentrally mounted shafts.
 48. The connector set of claim 45, wherein campaths of the plug and of the receptacle work coincidentally duringengagement of the receptacle and the plug to move a plug pin arraybetween a locked attitude to an unlocked attitude where the plug pinarray is free to travel between the engaged plug and receptacle andcontact a corresponding receptacle pin array.
 49. The connector set ofclaim 44, wherein the centrally mounted shafts are internal to therespective receptacle and plug and sealed from fowling associated withthe external environment before during and following engagement.
 50. Theconnector set of claim 36, wherein the end-face valves provide a sealedenvironmental isolation end-seal barrier on the plug and on thereceptacle prior to engagement of the plug and the receptacle.
 51. Theconnector set of claim 36, wherein the end-face valves are respectivelyinstalled in a receptacle shell and a plug shell, wherein the shellsprovide a sealing interface between the receptacle and plug prior to,during, and following engagement of the receptacle and the plugcontacts.
 52. The connector set of claim 36, wherein the end-face valveseach form contact chambers within their respective receptacle and plugand form an isolated and sealed passageway between the contact chambersof the receptacle and the plug.
 53. The connector set of claim 52,wherein the contact chambers in the receptacle and the plug arecontiguous following engagement of the receptacle and plug.
 54. Theconnector set of claim 52, wherein the contact chambers in thereceptacle and the plug are barrier isolated prior to engagement andfollowing disengagement of the receptacle and the plug.
 55. Theconnector set of claim 52, wherein the end-face valves provide sealedbarrier isolation of the contact chamber in the receptacle and in theplug.